Thursday, December 20, 2007

Santa Down South

Santa on a Motorino
Christmas decorations here look just like those back home even though it's summer. But even more surprising is the fact that poor Santa has to wear his North Pole getup when everyone else is in a tank top and shorts. Here's a picture of Santa taken last year. Looks like he was delivering presents on his motorcycle. The sleigh doesn't work so well in summer I guess.

So how do Argentines celebrate the holidays? Pretty much the same way we do, eating and hanging out with the family. The only difference I noticed last year was that on the 24th at lunch time (which is around 2:00, not noon and never 11:00 am) restaurants were full. Then it seems people head back home to prepare for dinner and wait for midnight when the presents are opened.

They wear red on the 24th and could stay awake playing games, drinking wine, listening to music and enjoying each other's company until sunrise. As is usual here in Buenos Aires, dinner is served around 10:00 pm and lasts a few hours. The 25th is naturally more relaxed seeing as the night before was the real celebration.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Spirit Lifting Jacarandas


It really is the best time of year to be in Buenos Aires. I got here about a year ago and have been bragging about the jacarandas in spring ever since. How nice to be in a city where the seasons are so concrete. This first picture was taken in my neighborhood, Las Cañitas.

I was reading a fellow blogger's posts the other day and found out that LA has a pretty mean jacaranda season too. Check her photo out on Tango Cherie.


This picture was taken outside of the international post office where I went to pick up a box of books I sent myself. The mail service works. This was a big move for me. Sending my stuff from back home might mean I´m staying put for a while.